Table of Contents:
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Use DDS20-NB to communicate with IoT Server
- 3. Configure DDS20-NB
- 4. Battery & Power Consumption
- 5. Firmware update
- 6. FAQ
- 7. Trouble Shooting
- 8. Order Info
- 9. Packing Info
- 10. Support
1. Introduction
1.1 What is DDS20-NB NB-IoT Ultrasonic liquid level Sensor
The Dragino DDS20-NB is a NB-IoT Ultrasonic liquid level sensor for Internet of Things solution. It uses none-contact method to measure the height of liquid in a container without opening the container, and send IoT platform via NB-IoT network.
The DDS20-NB sensor is installed directly below the container to detect the height of the liquid level. User doesn't need to open a hole on the container to be tested. The none-contact measurement makes the measurement safety, easier and possible for some strict situation.
DDS20-NB uses ultrasonic sensing technology for distance measurement. DDS20-NB is of high accuracy to measure various liquid such as: toxic substances, strong acids, strong alkalis and various pure liquids in high-temperature and high-pressure airtight containers.
DDS20-NB supports different uplink methods including MQTT, MQTTs, UDP & TCP for different application requirement, and support uplinks to various IoT Servers.
DDS20-NB supports BLE configure and OTA update which make user easy to use.
DDS20-NB is powered by 8500mAh Li-SOCI2 battery, it is designed for long-term use up to severa years.
DDS20-NB has optional built-in SIM card and default IoT server connection version. Which makes it works with simple configuration.
1.2 Features
- NB-IoT Bands: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B8/B12/B13/B17/B18/B19/B20/B25/B28/B66/B70/B85 @H-FDD
- Ultra-low power consumption
- Liquid Level Measurement by Ultrasonic technology
- Measure through container, No need to contact Liquid
- Valid level range 20mm - 2000mm
- Accuracy: ±(5mm+S*0.5%) (S: Measure Value)
- Multiply Sampling and one uplink
- Support Bluetooth v5.1 remote configure and update firmware
- Uplink on periodically
- Downlink to change configure
- IP66 Waterproof Enclosure
- 8500mAh Battery for long term use
- Nano SIM card slot for NB-IoT SIM
1.3 Specification
Common DC Characteristics:
- Supply Voltage: 2.5v ~ 3.6v
- Operating Temperature: -40 ~ 85°C
NB-IoT Spec:
NB-IoT Module: BC660K-GL
Support Bands:
- B1 @H-FDD: 2100MHz
- B2 @H-FDD: 1900MHz
- B3 @H-FDD: 1800MHz
- B4 @H-FDD: 2100MHz
- B5 @H-FDD: 860MHz
- B8 @H-FDD: 900MHz
- B12 @H-FDD: 720MHz
- B13 @H-FDD: 740MHz
- B17 @H-FDD: 730MHz
- B18 @H-FDD: 870MHz
- B19 @H-FDD: 870MHz
- B20 @H-FDD: 790MHz
- B25 @H-FDD: 1900MHz
- B28 @H-FDD: 750MHz
- B66 @H-FDD: 2000MHz
- B70 @H-FDD: 2000MHz
- B85 @H-FDD: 700MHz
Battery:
- Li/SOCI2 un-chargeable battery
- Capacity: 8500mAh
- Self Discharge: <1% / Year @ 25°C
- Max continuously current: 130mA
- Max boost current: 2A, 1 second
Power Consumption
- STOP Mode: 10uA @ 3.3v
- Max transmit power: 350mA@3.3v
1.4 Suitable Container & Liquid
- Solid Wall container such as: steel, iron, glass, ceramics, non-foaming plastics etc.
- Container shape is regular, and surface is smooth.
- Container Thickness:
- Pure metal material. 2~8mm, best is 3~5mm
- Pure non metal material: <10 mm
- Pure liquid without irregular deposition.
1.5 Install DDS20-NB
Step 1: Choose the installation point.
DDS20-NB MUST be installed on the container bottom middle position.
Step 2: Polish the installation point.
For Metal Surface with paint, it is important to polish the surface, first use crude sand paper to polish the paint level , then use exquisite sand paper to polish the metal level to make it shine & smooth.
No polish needed if the container is shine metal surface without paint or non-metal container.
Step3: Test the installation point.
Power on DDS20-NB, check if the blue LED is on, If the blue LED is on, means the sensor works. Then put ultrasonic coupling paste on the sensor and put it tightly on the installation point.
It is necessary to put the coupling paste between the sensor and the container, otherwise DDS20-NB won't detect the liquid level.
After paste the DDS20-NB well, power on DDS20-NB. In the first 30 seconds of booting, device will check the sensors status and BLUE LED will show the status as below. After 30 seconds, BLUE LED will be off to save battery life.
LED Status:
Onboard LED: When power on device, the onboard LED will fast blink 4 times which means detect the sensor well.
BLUE LED always ON: Sensor is power on but doesn't detect liquid. There is problem in installation point.
BLUE LED slowly blinking: Sensor detects Liquid Level, The installation point is good.
DDS20-NB will enter into low power mode at 30 seconds after system reset or power on, Blue LED will be off after that.
Note : Ultrasonic coupling paste is subjected in most shipping way. So the default package doesn't include it and user needs to purchase locally.
Step4: Install use Epoxy ab glue.
Prepare Eproxy AB glue.
Put Eproxy AB glue in the sensor and press it hard on the container installation point.
Reset DDS20-NB and see if the BLUE LED is slowly blinking.
Note :
1: Eproxy AB glue needs 3~ 5 minutes to stable attached. we can use other glue material to keep it in the position.
2: Eproxy AB glue is subjected in most shipping way. So the default package doesn't include it and user needs to purchase locally.
1.6 Applications
- Smart liquid control solution
- Smart liquefied gas solution
1.7 Precautions
- At room temperature, containers of different materials, such as steel, glass, iron, ceramics, non-foamed plastics and other dense materials, have different detection blind areas and detection limit heights.
- For containers of the same material at room temperature, the detection blind zone and detection limit height are also different for the thickness of the container.
- When the detected liquid level exceeds the effective detection value of the sensor, and the liquid level of the liquid to be measured shakes or tilts, the detected liquid height is unstable.
1.8 Sleep mode and working mode
Deep Sleep Mode: Sensor doesn't have any LoRaWAN activate. This mode is used for storage and shipping to save battery life.
Working Mode: In this mode, Sensor will work as LoRaWAN Sensor to Join LoRaWAN network and send out sensor data to server. Between each sampling/tx/rx periodically, sensor will be in IDLE mode), in IDLE mode, sensor has the same power consumption as Deep Sleep mode.
1.9 Button & LEDs
| Behavior on ACT | Function | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Pressing ACT between 1s < time < 3s | Send an uplink | If sensor has already attached to NB-IoT network, sensor will send an uplink packet, blue led will blink once. |
| Pressing ACT for more than 3s | Active Device | Green led will fast blink 5 times, device will enter OTA mode for 3 seconds. And then start to attach NB-IoT network. |
| Fast press ACT 5 times. | Deactivate Device | Red led will solid on for 5 seconds. Means device is in Deep Sleep Mode. |
1.10 BLE connection
DDS20-NB support BLE remote configure and firmware update.
BLE can be used to configure the parameter of sensor or see the console output from sensor. BLE will be only activate on below case:
- Press button to send an uplink
- Press button to active device.
- Device Power on or reset.
If there is no activity connection on BLE in 60 seconds, sensor will shut down BLE module to enter low power mode.
1.11 Pin Definitions & Switch
1.11.1 Jumper JP2
Power on Device when put this jumper.
1.11.2 BOOT MODE / SW1
1) ISP: upgrade mode, device won't have any signal in this mode. but ready for upgrade firmware. LED won't work. Firmware won't run.
2) Flash: work mode, device starts to work and send out console output for further debug
1.11.3 Reset Button
Press to reboot the device.
1.12 Mechanical
Probe Mechanical:
2. Use DDS20-NB to communicate with IoT Server
2.1 Send data to IoT server via NB-IoT network
The DDS20-NB is equipped with a NB-IoT module, the pre-loaded firmware in DDS20-NB will get environment data from sensors and send the value to local NB-IoT network via the NB-IoT module. The NB-IoT network will forward this value to IoT server via the protocol defined by DDS20-NB.
Below shows the network structure:
There are two version: -GE and -1D version of DDS20-NB.
GE Version: This version doesn't include SIM card or point to any IoT server. User needs to use AT Commands to configure below two steps to set DDS20-NB send data to IoT server.
- Install NB-IoT SIM card and configure APN. See instruction of Attach Network.
- Set up sensor to point to IoT Server. See instruction of Configure to Connect Different Servers.
Below shows result of different server as a glance.
| Servers | Dash Board | Comments |
| Node-Red |
| |
| DataCake |
| |
| Tago.IO | ||
| General UDP | Raw Payload. Need Developer to design Dash Board | |
| General MQTT | Raw Payload. Need Developer to design Dash Board | |
| ThingSpeak |
| |
| ThingsBoard |
|
1D Version: This version has 1NCE SIM card pre-installed and configure to send value to DataCake. User Just need to select the sensor type in DataCake and Activate DDS20-NB and user will be able to see data in DataCake. See here for DataCake Config Instruction.
2.2 Payload Types
To meet different server requirement, DDS20-NB supports different payload type.
Includes:
- General JSON format payload. (Type=5)
- HEX format Payload. (Type=0)
- ThingSpeak Format. (Type=1)
- ThingsBoard Format. (Type=3)
User can specify the payload type when choose the connection protocol. Example:
AT+PRO=2,0 // Use UDP Connection & hex Payload
AT+PRO=2,5 // Use UDP Connection & Json Payload
AT+PRO=3,5 // Use MQTT Connection & Json Payload
2.2.1 General Json Format(Type=5)
This is the General Json Format. As below:
{"IMEI":866207053462762,"temperature":29.2,"humidity":54.2,"battery":3.27,"signal":24,"Model":DDS20-NB, "1":{28.2,48.3,2023/08/10 08:00:37},"2":{28.1,49.1,2023/08/10 07:57:37},"3":{28.1,48.5,2023/08/10 07:54:37},"4":{28.2,48.6,2023/08/10 07:51:37},"5":{28.1,48.9,2023/08/10 07:48:37},"6":{28.2,48.8,2023/08/10 07:45:37},"7":{28.2,48.8,2023/08/10 07:42:37},"8":{28.0,48.8,2023/08/10 07:39:37}}
Notice, from above payload:
- Temperature , Humidity , Battery & Signal are the value at uplink time.
- Json entry 1 ~ 8 are the last 1 ~ 8 sampling data as specify by AT+NOUD=8 Command. Each entry includes (from left to right): Temperature, Humidity, Sampling time.
2.2.2 HEX format Payload(Type=0)
This is the HEX Format. As below:
f86620705346276200640cba16010000000011011801e864d49c2d011a01e364d49925011901eb64d49871011901e564d497bd011a01e664d49709011901e964d49655011a01e864d495a1011a01e864d494ed011801e864d49439
Version:
These bytes include the hardware and software version.
Higher byte: Specify Sensor Model: 0x00 for DDS20-NB
Lower byte: Specify the software version: 0x64=100, means firmware version 100
BAT (Battery Info):
Ex1: 0x0CBA = 3258mV
Signal Strength:
NB-IoT Network signal Strength.
Ex1: 0x16 = 22
0 -113dBm or less
1 -111dBm
2...30 -109dBm... -53dBm
31 -51dBm or greater
99 Not known or not detectable
TimeStamp:
Unit TimeStamp Example: 64d49439(H) = 1691653177(D)
Put the decimal value into this link(https://www.epochconverter.com/) to get the time.
2.2.3 ThingsBoard Payload(Type=3)
Type3 payload special design for ThingsBoard, it will also configure other default server to ThingsBoard.
{"IMEI":866207053462762,"temperature":29.2,"humidity":54.2,"battery":3.27,"signal":24}
2.2.4 ThingSpeak Payload(Type=1)
This payload meets ThingSpeak platform requirement. It includes only four fields. Form 1~4 are:
Temperature, Humidity, Battery & Signal. This payload type only valid for ThingsSpeak Platform
As below:
field1=27.9&field2=49.9&field3=3.23&field4=28
2.3 Uplink Payload
DDS20-NB will uplink payload via LoRaWAN with below payload format:
Uplink payload includes in total 8 bytes.
| Size(bytes) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | BAT | Distance | Digital Interrupt (Optional) | Sensor Flag |
2.3.1 Battery Info
Check the battery voltage for DDS20-NB.
Ex1: 0x0B45 = 2885mV
Ex2: 0x0B49 = 2889mV
2.3.2 Distance
Get the distance. Flat object range 20mm - 2000mm.
For example, if the data you get from the register is 0x06 0x05, the distance between the sensor and the measured object is
0605(H) = 1541 (D) = 1541 mm.
- If the sensor value is 0x0000, it means system doesn't detect ultrasonic sensor.
- If the sensor value lower than 0x0014 (20mm), the sensor value will be invalid.
2.3.3 Interrupt Pin
This data field shows if this packet is generated by interrupt or not.
Example:
0x00: Normal uplink packet.
0x01: Interrupt Uplink Packet.
2.3.4 DS18B20 Temperature sensor
This is optional, user can connect external DS18B20 sensor to the +3.3v, 1-wire and GND pin . and this field will report temperature.
Example:
If payload is: 0105H: (0105 & FC00 == 0), temp = 0105H /10 = 26.1 degree
If payload is: FF3FH : (FF3F & FC00 == 1) , temp = (FF3FH - 65536)/10 = -19.3 degrees.
2.3.5 Sensor Flag
0x01: Detect Ultrasonic Sensor
0x00: No Ultrasonic Sensor
2.4 Test Uplink and Change Update Interval
By default, Sensor will send uplinks every 2 hours & AT+NOUD=8
User can use below commands to change the uplink interval.
AT+TDC=600 // Set Update Interval to 600s
User can also push the button for more than 1 seconds to activate an uplink.
2.5 Multi-Samplings and One uplink
To save battery life, DDS20-NB will sample temperature & humidity data every 15 minutes and send one uplink every 2 hours. So each uplink it will include 8 stored data + 1 real-time data. They are defined by:
- AT+TR=900 // The unit is seconds, and the default is to record data once every 900 seconds (15 minutes, the minimum can be set to 180 seconds)
- AT+NOUD=8 // The device uploads 8 sets of recorded data by default. Up to 32 sets of record data can be uploaded.
The diagram below explains the relationship between TR, NOUD, and TDC more clearly:
2.6 Trggier an uplink by external interrupt
DDS20-NB has an external trigger interrupt function. Users can use the PB15 pin to trigger the upload of data packets.
AT command:
- AT+INTMOD // Set the trigger interrupt mode
- AT+INTMOD=0 // Disable Interrupt
- AT+INTMOD=1 // Trigger by rising and falling edge
- AT+INTMOD=2 // Trigger by falling edge
- AT+INTMOD=3 // Trigger by rising edge
3. Configure DDS20-NB
3.1 Configure Methods
DDS20-NB supports below configure method:
- AT Command via Bluetooth Connection (Recommended): BLE Configure Instruction.
- AT Command via UART Connection : See UART Connection.
3.2 AT Commands Set
AT+<CMD>? : Help on <CMD>
AT+<CMD> : Run <CMD>
AT+<CMD>=<value> : Set the value
AT+<CMD>=? : Get the value
General Commands
AT : Attention
AT? : Short Help
ATZ : MCU Reset
AT+TDC : Application Data Transmission Interval
AT+CFG : Print all configurations
AT+CFGMOD : Working mode selection
AT+DEUI : Get or set the Device ID
AT+INTMOD : Set the trigger interrupt mode
AT+5VT : Set extend the time of 5V power
AT+PRO : Choose agreement
AT+RXDL : Extend the sending and receiving time
AT+DNSCFG : Get or Set DNS Server
AT+GETSENSORVALUE : Returns the current sensor measurement
AT+NOUD : Get or Set the number of data to be uploaded
AT+CDP : Read or Clear cached data
AT+SHTEMP: Get or Set alarm of temp
AT+SHHUM: Get or Set alarm of moisture
AT+SERVADDR : Server Address
UDP Management
AT+CFM : Upload confirmation mode (only valid for UDP)
MQTT Management
AT+CLIENT : Get or Set MQTT client
AT+UNAME : Get or Set MQTT Username
AT+PWD : Get or Set MQTT password
AT+PUBTOPIC : Get or Set MQTT publish topic
AT+SUBTOPIC : Get or Set MQTT subscription topic
Information
AT+FDR : Factory Data Reset
AT+PWORD : Serial Access Password
AT+LDATA : Get the last upload data
AT+CDP : Read or Clear cached data
4. Battery & Power Consumption
DDS20-NB use ER26500 + SPC1520 battery pack. See below link for detail information about the battery info and how to replace.
Battery Info & Power Consumption Analyze .
5. Firmware update
User can change device firmware to::
- Update with new features.
- Fix bugs.
Firmware and changelog can be downloaded from : Firmware download link
Methods to Update Firmware:
- (Recommended way) OTA firmware update via BLE: Instruction.
- Update through UART TTL interface : Instruction.
6. FAQ
6.1 How can I access t BC660K-GL AT Commands?
User can access to BC660K-GL directly and send AT Commands.
7. Trouble Shooting
7.1 Why i always see 0x0000 or 0 for the distance value?
DDS20-NB has a strict installation requirement. Please make sure the installation method exactly follows up with the installation requirement. Otherwise, the reading might be always 0x00.
If you have followed the instruction requirement exactly but still see the 0x00 reading issue, please. please double-check the decoder, you can check the raw payload to verify.
8. Order Info
Part Number: DDS20-NB-XX
XX:
- GE: General version ( Exclude SIM card)
- 1D: with 1NCE* 10 years 500MB SIM card and Pre-configure to DataCake server
1NCE SIM Card NB-IoT network coverage: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Puerto Rico, Russia, Slovak , Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, USA, US Virgin Islands
9. Packing Info
Package Includes:
- DDS20-NB NB-IoT Ultrasonic liquid level sensor x 1
- External antenna x 1
Dimension and weight:
- Device Size: 13.0 x 5 x 4.5 cm
- Device Weight: 150g
- Package Size / pcs : 14.0 x 8x 5 cm
- Weight / pcs : 180g
10. Support
- Support is provided Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 18:00 GMT+8. Due to different timezones we cannot offer live support. However, your questions will be answered as soon as possible in the before-mentioned schedule.
- Provide as much information as possible regarding your enquiry (product models, accurately describe your problem and steps to replicate it etc) and send a mail to Support@dragino.cc.